The Block ‘love rat’ Ricky Recard reveals he ‘wasn’t in love’ with his ex – as he breaks his silence on relationship with the renovation show’s makeup artist following cheating allegations

The Block contestant Ricky Recard opened up about his new relationship with renovation show makeup artist Erin Lee on Monday.

The plumber, 34, made headlines after he was branded a ‘love rat’ by his jilted ex-girlfriend Lauren Smith, who claimed she was ‘blindsided’ by their split.

Now, months after debuting his new romance with 40-year-old Erin amid cheating allegations, Ricky has said he was ‘not in love’ with his ex, Woman’s Day reported.

“I was in a relationship, but I wasn’t 100 percent happy in that relationship and I certainly wasn’t in love, that’s for sure,” he told the publication.

“I needed that time off to realize that there are things that are more important and I was just lucky enough to find love in the end.”

When asked about Lauren’s claims that she was “blindsided” by their breakup and his subsequent relationship with Erin, Ricky said he was “disappointed.”

“I was definitely disappointed, but she was obviously a little displeased and I tried to move on and she was struggling,” he said.

Ricky went on to say that “there are two sides to every story,” and he and Erin, who were married when they met, knew they had “done nothing wrong.”

Erin supported her new boyfriend and said neither of them were affected by the cheating allegations that emerged from Lauren’s claims because they “knew the truth.”

Apparently ready to move on with their relationship, Ricky confessed that he plans to move to Phillip Island, where Erin is based, and buy a house with her.

He also admitted that he would like to help her raise her two boys, who she shares with a previous partner, and is considering having his own children with Erin one day.

While filming the auction scenes earlier this month, Ricky showed off his affection for his new girlfriend as they packed on the PDA.

The couple was seen sharing an intimate kiss as Erin showed her support for Ricky as he and his teammate Haydn Wise tried to secure auction bids for their property.

It turned out to be a lucrative day for Ricky and Haydn, who walked away with $750,000 in prize money at the end of the day.

The plumber made headlines after being branded a ‘love rat’ by his jilted ex-girlfriend Lauren Smith, 30, (pictured), who claimed she was ‘blindsided’ by their divorce

It comes after Ricky’s ex-girlfriend Lauren, 30, made a series of claims about their relationship and breakup, Ny Breaking Australia revealed in September.

She claimed Ricky broke up with her after waiting for him at home for three months while he filmed the new series of Nine’s renovation show.

Just days after the split, he revealed he was dating married mother-of-two Erin, who had broken up with her heartbroken husband to be with the show’s star.

She claimed Ricky then immediately went on holiday with his new girlfriend, leaving Lauren to go on their romantic getaway to Mexico alone for her 30th birthday.

“I was absolutely blindsided,” she told Ny Breaking Australia.

“I took care of his dogs and his house for three months, while also helping his employee with the business.”

Lauren said the couple had arranged a holiday abroad to celebrate her milestone birthday, which would have been the first trip without her young daughter.

“We were supposed to go in early July for my 30th birthday, but we broke up about two weeks after he came back from filming,” she said.

Now, months after debuting his new romance with Erin amid cheating allegations, Ricky has said he was ‘not in love’ with his ex, Woman’s Day reported

“While I was in Mexico, I found out that he had apparently started a relationship with Erin while I was away,” she added.

Meanwhile, Erin’s estranged husband, Lucas Day, has insisted that his wife only started her relationship with the Block tradie after their marriage ended.

“We are divorced now and I have dealt with it,” he told Ny Breaking Australia.

“They got together after we broke up when he came back from Mexico in July and we were done.”

Ricky, from Melbourne, dismissed Lauren’s allegations shortly afterwards and admitted he was surprised she was speaking publicly about their split.

He was questioned about the claims made by Brendan Fevola, who asked Ricky: “Your ex came out of the closet, Lozza, and she labeled you a love rat. What happened, man?’

“Gosh, love rat is a bit harsh,” Ricky replied, before revealing he was “quite shocked” when he heard of Lauren’s accusations.

‘I’m shocked when someone goes to the media about things like that. That’s not really my style,” he said.

Ricky says he holds no ill will towards his former flame and revealed his relationship with Erin was first rekindled before filming started on the latest series of The Block.

“I don’t have anything bad to say about her,” Ricky said.

‘I was lucky enough to meet Erin just before filming started on The Block, on one of the launch days we had there [in Phillip Island].

“The Block is apparently good for a few things: it not only builds dream homes for potential families, but also a love story there.”

“We are very happy,” Ricky added of his new relationship.